The Summer of Broken Rules: A Happily Ever After Beach Read

This was such a sweet read while also having moments of laughter and a little teary moments. Loved this book so much that I would stay up for hours because I couldn’t put it down!

This is the perfect beach read or if it’s winter when you read it, like I did, it’s perfect to ride out a cold. It’s light, lovely and fun without a lot of big ideas to ponder. Not to say its examination of grief isn’t true, but the story doesn’t get weighed down by sadness. Structured over a week with each day its own section, this book is easy to pick up and put down. There are a lot of characters and even a family map of the bride’s family at the front. I could’ve used one for the groom’s family as well but eventually I just gave up worrying about who was who and just focused on the romance plot. This book is enjoyable and a perfect frothy story for when you want to take a breather from more weighty matters.

I must admit the first chapter of this book reminded me of a Colleen Hoover book I read a long time ago, but that's where the comparison ends. I have had this book for a while and I meant to read it because of how much I had seen it online but it took me a while to get into it. I would have read this book in a day or two but it took me almost a month. The characters felt a little flat to me and I'm sorry but I am not into fast paced romances. It's the chase for me. However, this was a sweet book and I did enjoy it although it took me a while to read. One thing I did get is how the title connects with the story.

Star Rating: —> 5 Stars Ahhh! You're telling me that there was a YA contemporary rom-com that actually lived up to my massive expectations/ absolute NEEDS?! WOOHOO! If you're looking for something that has a sugary sweet, with depth in flavor like a well made a sea salt caramel cupcake vibe... look no further ! This may (WILL DEFINITELY) fill the craving that you're having, because I swear there is a science that lies behind these types of super successful (IMO) rom-coms, but it also felt like it went one step further for me (which is saying A LOT), & felt so ultimately authentic & real, as well! ***drumroll please!!!*** THE SUMMER OF BROKEN RULES IS A WINNER, GUYS! It truly FEELS like K.L. Walther bottled up summer, used a water gun to spritz/soak each page with it, and then finally let it dry onto the pages of her book! I mean, is it REALLY too great a set of expectations for a YA rom-com to be/have (everything this book is): – actually laugh out loud funny at all the right times – smiles or happy tears most of the rest of the way – emotional & relatable especially if there's been a traumatic event (there has been, in this book 🥺) – golden WIT—lots of it... gotta love that back & forth & the chemistry it creates(!) – filled with juuust the right amount of romance that makes your heart swoon & swoon & swoon some more (either slow burn or even insta-love as long as it works & makes sense to the story, idc) – amazing family and/or friend dynamics, – diversity – in a fun setting/ have a fun premise – a fabulous either HEA/HFN ending that makes you happy AF & feel like you're floating ANDDDDD – just an absolute blast to read the whole way through?!? Okay it kind of is a big ask there😅, but this book truly has it ALL. All o' the above, my friends! So let's talk the main character, MER & the love interest/ main supporting character, WIT ('Cause I can't help it if you look like an angel, can't help it if I want to kiss you in the rain, so... ' #swiftieeeees where you at?!) THEY ARE SO FREAKING SWEET & PERFECT FOR EACH OTHER! I was smiling at every encounter, it was love at first kick in the face, for me ;) ! I just wanted moremoremore at all times, and I def got what I came for ! :)) WOOOO #HITCHMETOWITRY! ;););) The Fox family is truly THE BESTTTTTT. Their dynamic holds the bindings of this book together! It's just EVERYTHING! Every character has their quirks & I loved them all; they are all also so real & relatable! This book just had me sittin' happy with a huge grin on my face the entire time I read it & well after, and happy with sappy tears available at any given moment, for any & every little cute thing (that's just who I am, okay?! Don't judge me!). I honestly ADORED & LOVED every moment of this novel! It is just SUCH a FUNNNN read! Also, the author is a swiftie soooo... yes, you heard it here, there are a few fun passing refs, and one big nod! So basically... that's just like the cherry on top for me! The author ALSO just has wonderful taste in music in general (I repeat: SWIFTIE IN THE HOUSEEEE, so duhhh), & created a Spotify playlist for this book that is just freaking BEYOND SPOT ON, & is aptly titled the same as the book. :) You can find said accompanying Spotify playlist HEREEE: The Summer Of Broken Rules Official Playlist EVERY single song & the culmination of said songs honestly made the reading experience just PERFECTION— rom-com NIRVANAAA. I loved it SO much. If you have to (or just like to) listen to music while reading like I do, I am so happy you will get to experience this treat while reading, it's like pairing the perfect wine to go with each course of a long, fancy schmancy, DELICIOUS, meal! It's an experience! I truly just loved this book SODAMNMUCH!! I had to get the word out there, so you all can have the BLASTTT that I had while reading this! ** Really quickly though I want to mention— TW// Death of a family member ** I wholeheartedly recommend this book & its antics to anyone & everyone! It is so much fun, & just so, so adorable, but also SO REALLLL!

This was the perfect end of summer read for me! The NOSTALGIA was breath taking! Highly recommend this book for Young adult all the way to Adult readers. I think you'll enjoy this book thoroughly if you knowingly go into the book knowing it is YA and does not have the adult spice that some prefer. Let the nostalgia engulf you and the pages nearly turn themselves. My ratings: 4.5/5 stars 0.5/5 spice (more romantic tension than spice) This book centers around Meredith and Wit, who an had instant connection. One that runs deeper than just the week longer summer trip at the Vineyard. Even though Meredith made some personal and some unspoken rules for herself, Whit seems to be a big part of how and why she breaks these so called rules. K.L. Walther, found a way to put nostalgia into words and make all the emotions of my childhood come rushing back. Not only nostalgia that one may have experienced but also the hopes and dreams some wished for and longed to find with family, friends and a special someone. This book deals with the residual effects of death and the trauma that comes with it, it has hilarious banter between characters of all ages, and it undeniably expresses the found family vibes. I embarked myself in a journey filled with the nostalgia when reading this book. I acknowledged that it gave that large family dynamic and ever seeking welcoming warmth most people yearn for. The author found a way to capture my attention and I deeply felt the sorrow and sadness when moments of death and trauma are discussed, I found myself laughing until tears bellowed in my eyes, and I found myself on the edge of my seat in moments of suspense of what was to come next. I connected with this story on a deeper level than some because of many reasons. I come from a large family and my family like this one had fun when gathered together despite the ages, everyone from the seasoned grandparents down to the youngsters could all come together to enjoy each others company on an even playing field. I remember as a young girl dreaming to find a respectful and handsome fellow that would treat me the way that Wit treats Mer. This book was the PERFECT summer read. It is a YA novel and reads as one. There is not a lot of spice. However, that's what I expect from a young adult novel. As a seasoned adult I loved this book and I think it is a perfect read for readers from YA to Adult.

K.L. Walther's "The Summer of Broken Rules" is a delightful coming-of-age story that beautifully intertwines themes of loss, love, and the power of family traditions. I was immediately drawn into Meredith's emotional journey as she grapples with the heavy weight of her sister Claire's absence while trying to reconnect with the world around her. The setting of Martha’s Vineyard adds a charming backdrop to the family wedding and the lively game of assassin, making it the perfect playground for both fun and self-discovery. Meredith’s alliance with the charming groomsman brings a delightful romantic tension that kept me invested, rooting for them to navigate their feelings amidst the playful chaos. Walther's writing strikes a lovely balance between humor and heart, capturing the essence of summer while delivering poignant moments of reflection. "The Summer of Broken Rules" is a touching tribute to the bonds of family and the healing power of love, making it a must-read for fans of heartfelt young adult fiction. Highly recommended!

3.75⭐️ The Summer of Broken Rules is a young adult novel focusing on Meredith and her journey through grief, heartbreak and new beginnings. This review contains certain spoilers so read at your own risk. This story was cute and heartwarming as we see her progress in reconnecting with family and finding unexpected love. Loved getting to know Wit. What a sweet character! He brought a fresh breath of air into Meredith’s life and I appreciated that. It was sweet to find out how destiny was meant to be and how her connection to sister played a part in it. I enjoyed learning about the family’s game of Assassin that takes place every year. It was fun to learn the rules and follow the characters as each received the name of their target. Meredith’s sister, Claire, used to be the best and she wanted to honor her by winning. However, unforeseen circumstances change certain outcomes and this is kind of where it falls out for me. I wanted certain outcomes to happen and was let down when they didn’t. All in all, I love the quick pace of the book and the setting of Martha’s Vineyard. At times, I wished she focused more on rekindling certain relationships that she pushed away during her grieving period. Since the book was heavily family oriented, I wanted certain parts to be focused more on that. I felt like moments were rushed and her focus was elsewhere pretty quickly. I feel my personal feelings as a reader are getting in the way of giving this book its full stars. But in the end, if you’re looking for a quick summer read with a fun approach to family and reconnections, I would recommend despite my rating.

The Summer of Broken Rules completely stole my heart. It’s the perfect mix of romance, family, and self-discovery, all set against a dreamy summer wedding on Martha’s Vineyard. The setting was gorgeous, and I felt like I was right there with the characters. Meredith was such a relatable main character, and I loved seeing her work through her grief while still allowing herself to open up to love again. The game of Assassin added a fun and unique twist that kept things light and playful, even while the story dealt with deeper emotions. The romance was adorable, the friendships were meaningful, and the writing was just beautiful. I smiled, I teared up, and I didn’t want it to end. This book is everything I want in a YA summer romance—heartfelt, fun, and full of hope. Highly recommend for fans of Love & Gelato, The Summer I Turned Pretty, or anyone looking for a great beach read!